WEEKENDMIX 6.6.14: PR PARADE – A VERY LARGE FAMILY REUNION

Hello party people, especially those in New York, I’m going to be having a small family reunion this weekend and we have two family parties planned. Apparently a lot of my family is actually coming so I want to apologize in advance as there may be some heavy traffic, a lot of Puerto Ricans spontaneously breaking into dance in the middle of the street, and music playing loudly out of cars and late into the nite.

My family can sometimes be a lil too boisterous, but believe me they mean well; they are simply very happy and joyful people who love to hug each other, love to sing and dance, wherever they may be, and express their pride for their homeland and their culture, which usually means shoving ever so kindly and perhaps sometimes too emphatically, a plate of rice and beans with a side of meat into your face until you give in and eventually realize it’s got damn delicious, especially considering it was cooked by an old lady dancing and having a beer, on the sidewalk. That’s my tia (aunt) by the way so you better say “bendicion” (it’s a customary greeting which loosely translated means you are asking for her blessing) and don’t forget to tip her. Now, I might have some riff raff cousins coming through, so I profusely apologize in advance for their behavior. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure my tia takes care of them.

If you’re going to be in the city on Saturday make sure you drop by the 116th Street festival where my family will welcome you with open arms. It’s basically one big block party with plenty of food and music, so be ready to eat. On Sunday, me and my family are going to 5th Avenue to shop. We call it the PR Parade. Definitely leave your cars home as they basically take over the entire avenue from 44th street to 89th street. Take mass transit and come hang out. I’ll be in the crowd, probably stuffing my face with arroz con pollo, flag in hand, yelling “weeeeeeepaaaaa!!!”